§ Mr. MILLARasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to the action of the Standard Life Assurance Company, Edinburgh, in refusing to pay over to his widow the amount due under a policy of ^assurance on the life of the late Corporal Andrew Burton, No. 8082, 1st Battalion Royal Highlanders, on presentation of the intimation received from the Perth Infantry Record Office that the Army Council had been constrained to conclude that he was dead and that his death took place on 11th November, 1914, and on an indemnity being granted that the moneys should be refunded should Corporal Burton ever turn up again; whether he is aware that the Prudential Assurance Company and the Scottish Temperance Life Assurance Company, with which companies deceased was also insured, have paid over the amount due under their policies to the widow on presentation of the Army Council notice and on an indemnity being granted; and whether, looking to the hardship which Mrs. Burton is called upon to suffer in consequence of the Standard Life Assurance Company's action, he is prepared to take steps to secure that the sum is paid over to her without further delay?
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§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy attention has previously been drawn to this case by my hon. and learned Friend, and I have informed him that the assurance company state that they are prepared to lodge the policy moneys with a bank to be held in the joint names of the company and the widow. The Army Council have no powers to enforce the payment of the sum, even if they considered it desirable.